Houston hopes to pair rent relief cash with ordinance to temporarily bar evictions
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The city is planning to pursue a “grace period” ordinance that could block tenant evictions through the end of March, fulfilling a request sought by housing advocates since at least last summer as the economic toll of the ongoing pandemic continued to grow.
Mayor Sylvester Turner said he will put the ordinance on next Wednesday’s council agenda, potentially adding a crucial layer of protection for tenants while city officials work with Harris County and nonprofit groups to distribute some $159 million in rental relief.
The county approved its side of the rent relief deal Tuesday, and the governments and nonprofits hope to begin accepting applications from landlords as soon as next week.